Personally I find the ICE/EV transition on the '23 ES 300h to be silky smooth and almost imperceptible 95%+ of the time. In contrast, despite sharing the same A25A-FXS engine, the RAV4 Hybrid's ICE/EV transition is very noticeably. Perhaps Lexus benefits from the superior insulation.

I haven't driven the new Camry, but it seems that the ICE/EV transition is significantly smoother with Toyota's 5th gen Hybrid Synergy Drive system.

 

The photos also show a trunk with pass-through, no drop-down rear seats and no hatch.

While this is the same configuration as all previous ES's, no previous ES was an enormously tall fastback. Just as with the Crown sedan, this is a miss and will rightly cost them sales. Buyers will get the disadvantage of a tall, tippy car without the advantage of an SUV's cargo-carrying versatility. And just as with the Crown sedan vs. the Crown Signia wagon, buyers will rightly conclude that a crossover makes more sense.

 

how else would they justify the increased cost of the ES?

 

You’ll be more happier with the new RZ500e. The last rz450e drove incredibly well, I would say even smoother than the LS and more refined. It doesn’t have the brutal shove of typical BEVs and they are saying it’s even more refined now.

 

Yeah the RX transition is near perfection as well. You'd really only know because the tach goes to zero and the EV light comes on.

 

The ESh has better engine mounts than the Toyotas.

In one website I saw the information that the new ES will use the 6th gen hybrid system. That has to be smooth.

 

The only new features that could make me consider a hybrid 8th-gen ES are a fold-down rear seats and all-wheel drive. However, although AWD is available, the lack of fold-down rear seats and the e-latch door opening, which I personally dislike, are absolute deal-breakers for me.

Why they keep removing ***** and physical buttons? Call me old-fashioned, but I prefer physical buttons for radio and AC controls. Having quick access to a volume **** allows me or my passengers to instantly adjust the sound without the delay of relying on voice commands or steering wheel controls.

 

I was under the impression that Toyota’s latest Hybrid Synergy Drive was in its fifth generation, as seen in the new '25 Camry. If that’s indeed the case for the new ES, that 6th gen is a welcome upgrade for such a disappointing refresh IMHO.

We'll gain more insight as test-drive video reviews begin appearing on YT.

 

I've put back the Lexus logo and removed the ugly screens.

 

It depends on your KWH rate vs the cost of gasoline. Mine in MA is something on the order of 33 cents/KwH, with rates like that it's hard to justify plugging into the wall vs driving a pure Hybrid.

Average cost of gas in MA per AAA at time of this post is $2.95 (I can currently get good gas @ $2.67)
Average kWH rate in MA currently 0.33 Cents/KwH

To support this statement with real data, the following is a comparison of Rav4 Hybrid vs Chevy Blazer AWD EV
Source: https://chooseev.com/savings-calculator/

 

IMO the black plastic line on the doors looks hideous. Someone should be fired. They could have done this.

 

Nice! They could implement a hide/show motorized screen and use the cluster for navigation like Audi.

That last one, I like! Please request a job or provide consulting services to the Lexus Design & Development team.

 

Maybe they did the doors trim lines to differentiate from the Camry. Without the lines looks very similar.

 

This is perfect man.
I would add an 16:9 screen on top of the emergency lights, wide but not high.


P.S. **** them for ruining the looks of this car.
I am so nervous about the looks of it. The plan was to sell the 5ES, to give my 7ES to my wife and get the 8ES UL. Now, most likely I will get the RX350h Luxury.



Now, I know that Lexus RnD are reading these comments every day, and shaking their heads.
To them:

おい、どうしてこの車を台無しにしたんだ？ちゃんと動いてる車をなぜ修理しようとするんだ？この醜い車をアメリカに送らないでくれ。誰も買わない。アメリカ仕様に改造しろ。BMWと同じ過ちを繰り返さないでくれ。

 

I went from an ESh to an RX currently 2024 RX 350h and I think you will love the RX 350h. The 2024 is so much quieter and smoother than the 2017. I love the looks exterior and interior. Getting 38 mpg on regular gas. Super comfortable great visibility.